CHAPTER NINETEEN

The killer reveled in the power that filled him. The sun blazed warm overhead, his sun. His power. His strength. The energy that created life now coursed through his veins.

All that remained was to strengthen the vessel that contained it.

Nigredo was complete. The understanding of life was his. Albedo was complete. The understanding of energy, of the deep secrets of the universe was his as well. Citrinitas was complete, and the sun infused him with strength.

All that remained was rubedo , the reddening, the fire that would harden the clay of his body, hone the steel of his will, temper the knowledge of his mind.

Then he would be eternal. Then he would be everlasting.

The killer opened his eyes and walked outside. His neighbor lifted a hand in greeting, and the killer returned the gesture, paired with a smile. He was in a wonderful mood. Perhaps when he finished, he would bring his neighbors some of the cookies he'd baked the night before.

He headed for the bus stop and chuckled softly. It would be nice to use his own vehicle again. Those little comforts of the first world were missed terribly when they were forsaken.

Then again, perhaps he'd leave it behind. Perhaps he'd go on a pilgrimage. The world would soon be his oyster, after all. He had all the time in the world. Maybe he would take advantage of that freedom to slow down and truly discover all there was to discover.

The bus arrived, and he boarded, showing the monthly pass he'd bought. The bus driver started stoically forward and closed the bus door as soon as the reader chirped to tell him that the pass was valid.

The killer took his seat and wondered what he would learn next. There were other alchemical formulas. One would allow for him to obtain endless riches. He didn't need that, not yet. He made good money and had a sizable nest egg. He could take a sabbatical of several years, and as long as he spent conservatively wouldn't need to replenish his coffers for a while.

There was another spell that promised to make him irresistible to women. He wasn't concerned much with that one either. He had never been particularly interested in sex, and during the brief period of his life where he'd been curious about it, it was the male form that attracted him.

He realized with a touch of sadness that once the Magnum Opus was completed, there would actually be little left of alchemy to explore. These fleeting pleasures were just that: fleeting. What he was about to obtain was eternal.

So he would become a scholar. He would learn. He would travel, and he would experience. If he came across a desire, he would look into fulfilling it, but for the time being, he would just learn all there was to know about the fascinating world he called home.

He felt a pang in his chest and grimaced. The pain didn't fade as fast as it usually did, and when it sharpened, a thrill of fear ran through him.

No. Not yet, damn it. It's supposed to take several months more. Not now, not when I'm so close!

The pain intensified again, and he gasped, suddenly frightened. He prepared to shout for help when the pain finally relaxed.

One of the other passengers, a young man of around twenty or so, asked, "Are you all right?"

"Yes," the killer replied breathlessly. "Yes, I'm fine." He forced a smile. "Just had a twinge of pain is all."

The young man's eyes fell to the fist the killer clutched to his chest. The killer pulled his hand away and repeated, "I'm all right."

The young man didn't appear convinced, but he wasn't going to press a stranger for information he didn't want to give. He looked away and put his headphones back into his ear.

The killer released a breath and tried to return to his anticipation of the future, but the joy had gone from his thoughts.

That was closer. That was too close. Damn it, he needed to move quickly.

Soon , he reminded himself. You just have to complete rubedo. It will be over soon.

Then another, more terrifying thought took him. What if I don't find a sacrifice? What if there's no one there?

There's always someone there, he scolded himself. Sacrifices are everywhere. I only need to take the first one available. Then…

Then what? Then how did he get the sacrifice to the place of fire?

"Damn it," he whispered.

He pulled the cord that announced his intention to stop. The driver pulled lazily to the next stop, and the killer exited. His cheeks burned with frustration.

He would need to act tonight. He had planned to act tomorrow so he could prepare the venue for his sacrifice, but he didn't know if he'd have that time. He needed to move now.

It's okay , he reassured himself. You're only a mile from your house. Just walk back and get the car, then drive somewhere. Grab the sacrifice, then go to the place of fire. It's okay.

He couldn't stay calm, though. He feared at any second the pain would return and that this time it wouldn't go away.

The sun still blazed overhead, but it didn't bring the strength it had before.